For those who are not too familiar with Arkona, they are an established Folk Metal Band from Russia and have been around since the year 2002. Now out with their 5th release; Goi, Rode, Goi! (Hail, Rod, Hail!), the band still continue to create music, drawing listeners from all over the world.

This time around, you see the bold intention. Arkona's ideas are bigger and fuller. They are more straight to the point and well produced, compared to their previous works. I guess they are now in the peek of stability within their years. I always knew they had it in them, but I also thought that a little sound polishing wouldn't hurt.

I'd say this the best Arkona album by far. It is an up beat album filled with some pop hooks and cheese on top, which guarantees to put you in a good mood. Perhaps even in a dancing mood? (Masha 'Scream' - vocals, is known to dance along songs)

Are they any special from the rest of the Folk Metal bands out there? Of course they are. Does their sound stand out more than others? Aside from the authentic Slavic lyrical themes and the chants that's more than a 'Lai lai hei', no, not quite. They do have a female singer who delivers the harsh vocals in addition to the clean vocals which sets them apart from most Folk Metal bands... Other than that, nothing too spectacular, really.

Lastly, I hope my eyes fool me because in their live performances in Russia, you see a crowd clearly doing a 'Hitler Salute'. There is NS (National Socialist) Black Metal, now another band to be classified in a Hitler Metal genre? Music should be Universal. So if we don't get our heads out of our asses, evolution will never take a bigger leap, we will never see the bigger picture and explore our so called Universe - because we are unaware and too unwitting to let aside our differences.